Little to TBH.
I don’t even expect the starters to play much, if at all. Matt Eberflus didn’t set much of a high standard, so Ben Johnson only has to avoid looking totally lost.
Speaking of which, history has empirically proven that winning/losing in PS is mostly irrelevant.
So, in no particular order:
1. Look sharp.
No sloppy PS penalties – illegal motions, delay of games, offsides, subs running in/out late, lining up wrong, terrible TOs…
Get the basics right. Football 101.
2. On D, some sort of pressure from the Dline. I don’t care who, but SOMEBODY must crush. Word is Sweat has been making Oline sweat, so it would be sweet if he returned to form. However, I’m very curious about the new crew:
Dayo, Jarrett, even UDFA Carlton Xavier
[Too bad about Shemar Turner].
Naturally, zero in on Booker as well.
3. Oline? Well, Moses Christ – it’s basically all rebuilt, so all of them?
Well yes, but in particular I wanna see if Trapilo isn’t weak or cement-footed. I need to see he belongs [no Kiran 2.0].
Same for Kiran – at this point he’s gotta prove he’s not a lost cause.
Also of interest will be how Newman handles himself and if he plays Center.
I loved the edge Bill Murray brought. See if he’s still got that fire.
4. HB, well, we all want to see if Monangai is too small/slow/brick-handed, or if he can be our Pacheco.
Everyone forgets about Ian Wheeler, but he’s going to be battling for a roster spot.
They both need to be able to pick up a blitz.
5. WR – All eyes on Burden. If he’s healthy and up to date. Can he separate at the NFL level? Will his YAC translate? Never know. Every year we seemingly get a new “Deebo” yet it never materializes [hello Treylon Burks].
Been hearing mucho about Olamide Zaccheaus , so draw a Madden circle on him.
6. TE. C’mon now. LOVELAND. The first “wow” pick of the draft. He better look at least as good as Greg Olsen. No pressure.
7. LB/Secondary is more or less set, still Hyppolite was a big head-scratcher for many, so highlight him on program. Will his 4.4 speed translate? Can he stack and shed? Does he flash instincts?
I was curious about Frazier who allegedly knocked the socks off Halas brass on his rookie visit; however, he’s missed a lot of camp [personal reasons], so I don’t believe we’ll see much of him.
8. On specials. Just don’t fuck up. Can Taylor nail a coffin-corner? Cairo make anything beyond 53? [he ended on a high note, that’s for damn sure].
WTH are our returners again?
9. Misc. Bagent!
10. Whatever the new rules are. From the HOF game, it seems they’re finally implementing some sort of chip system.
Mostly though, I can safely speak for all Beardom when I say the overriding goal of all PS Games:
STAY FREAKING HEALTHY!